Where to Look When There's No Way Out
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon thee. (II Chronicles 20:12)
II Chr. 20:1-15 and 32:7-8; Ps. 34:4-5; Mt. 8:24-27; Eph. 3·20; John 16:33
What Is God Saying?
Jehoshaphat was one of Judah's good kings. During his reign of thirty-five years, he did what was right except for a glaring failure at the end. A beautiful phrase is used of him, one that we might all wish could be said of us, ‘His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord.’ He was a wise and successful ruler. The Book of the Law was taught throughout the realm. He made sure there was justice for all, but the most frequent phrase that appeared concerning Jehoshaphat was that he sought the Lord. He received riches. He was honored by neighboring nations. He grew steadily greater. He commanded a loyal army. He built fortresses and cities throughout the land, and he always sought the Lord.
That is why when a considerable army of Ammonites and Moabites came against Jerusalem and the nation was faced with disaster, Jehoshaphat did what came most naturally to him, he sought the Lord. He knew where to look when there was no way out, and he offered a prayer, ‘We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon Thee.’
How Does This Apply To Us?
When we are just plain scared, when we are faced with overwhelming odds, when there seems to be no way out, we should follow Jehoshaphat's example. Let us be honest. Let us be open. Let us admit it. There are times when we don't know what to do, but there is a way out. In the time of crisis, the King's eyes were fixed upon the Lord. He didn't let his attention wander. He didn't crumble under the circumstances. He trusted the Lord who was over the circumstances. The secret lies in knowing who is in charge and trusting Him all the way. Look to Him. Trust in Him. There is a way out. It is the way in. ‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe’ (Prov. 18: 10). This is not being blind to difficulties that we will surely meet. It is being aware of the Lord in whom we are surely more than conquerors.
Pray With Me
Sometimes I find myself staggering before impossible problems. Sometimes my feet stumble along difficult paths. Sometimes, in weary disbelief, I stand before doors that will not open. Then, O Lord, give me grace to fix my eyes upon Thee. Bewilderment and discouragement have fostered darkness. Doubt has reproduced itself. Looking at my weaknesses, I have yielded to defeat. In its pointed and persistent way, logic argues that the impossible is always impossible. The trend cannot be reversed. The habit cannot be broken. The hopeless cannot be revived.
I have known something of the dilemma of Jehoshaphat when he stood up in the assembly of Judah and prayed, Lord, we do not know what to do. Help me, with him, to go on. I would take the next step, the daring step—the step of faith. If my prayer begins with perplexity, let it end with confidence and certainty, ‘our eyes are upon thee.’ Give me a living and trusting faith. Looking into the face of the impossible, I would see only the power and the glory of God.
When I do not know what to do, I will be confident that You know exactly what to do and when to do it. With my eyes fixed upon Calvary, let me never doubt that You will do what I cannot do. In Christ, the impossible has been done. Infinite power has joined with infinite mercy. I need never again feel overpowered.
In the name of Him who said, ‘Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.’ Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
The best way to begin or end any prayer is to repeat Jehoshaphat's prayer, I do not know what to do, but my eyes are upon thee. When we are frightened by overwhelming odds, by the persistent strength of temptati0ns, by the loss of a loved one or a friend through death or misunderstanding, at such a time offer Jehoshaphat's prayer, Lord, I don't know what to do, but my eyes are upon thee. That is the way to answered prayer. When there is no human way out, there is always a divine way through.
